When we qualified for the World Cup, there was a part of me that felt Diogo Jota was looking over us Andy Robertson on the World Cup bond he formed with his tragic former Liverpool team-mate

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Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterFor Andy Robertson, Scotlands qualification for this summers World Cup was one of the more emotional nights in the 32-year-olds storied career.Shortly after the Liverpool left-back had captained his side in the dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark, which secured Scotlands first World Cup berth in 28 years, his thoughts turned to someone he could no longer share the moment with.One of Robertsons best friends in the game was Diogo Jota, his former Liverpool team-mate, who was tragically killed in a car crash last summer, with the Scot paying a moving tribute to the Portuguese amid the on-pitch celebrations that evening. You may like 'I was there in 1982 against that unbelievable Brazil side. I was on the pitch and saw them up close - but I dont think I played!' Gordon Strachan recalls Scotland World Cup memories and reveals his striker solution Lawrence Shanklands position is probably most up for grabs Scotland legend Kenny Miller on the youngsters vying for a place in Steve Clarkes World Cup squad Scotland World Cup 2026 squad: Steve Clarke's latest selection ahead of March internationals Andy Robertson on Scotlands qualification and his Diogo Jota tributeScotland booked their place in North America with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark which began with a superlative overhead kick from Scott McTominay and ended with two stoppage-time goals to seal the win.The ending of it is going to be iconic for years to come, Roberton tells FourFourTwo. Im sure a lot of people in the stadium, and watching it in pubs, will say its right up there as one of the greatest Scotland games ever.Get VIP Liverpool tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Seat Unique tickets at Anfield offer a fantastic matchday. You get premium padded seats in the new Anfield Road stand (Block AM5, front rows) and access to the Brodies Lounge for three hours pre-match. Enjoy street food, a complimentary half-time drink, a matchday programme, and entertainment, including a Liverpool legend appearance, making it a truly elevated experience.View DealTo be a part of that was amazing, with the feeling that we had on the pitch when Kenny McLean put the ball in from the halfway line celebrations youve never seen before, the noise in the stadium it was a special night.To qualify for the World Cup is one thing, and it is special no matter how you do it, but to qualify in that manner made it even more special and brought us together even more as a team, a squad, and a nation. It was the best way you could ever qualify for a World Cup.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Amid the scenes of celebration and jubilation at Hampden Park, Robertsons thoughts quickly turned to Jota, the team-mate he lost last summer.Obviously, me and Diogo were close, Robertson continues. I knew how much Portugal meant to him and he knew how much Scotland meant to me. We spent the last World Cup together.He was out injured and Scotland never made it, and I remember watching the games with him. That was where me and Jots really clicked and became closer.We both knew our desire was to get to the next World Cup and achieve that dream. On the day of the match against Denmark, there was a lot of emotion flying around, and it was difficult to get him out of my thoughts. But to qualify and have that feeling, there was a part of me that felt he was looking over us at that time.I achieved my dream and I wish hed been able to achieve his. Unfortunately, that wasnt possible, but I know how happy hed have been for me, and he would have been one of the first to text me. Thats why emotions were so high after the game. What happened was devastating and will live long in the memory, but we have got to carry him in our hearts and thats what we do.Weve got to keep doing that and remember everything that hes done for us. Thats all we can do, unfortunately.TOPICSAndy RobertsonDiogo JotaScotlandLiverpoolWorld Cup 2026Joe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromAlasdair Mackenzie